PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES is widely recognized as one of the best sexual harassment and employment law firms in New York and New Jersey. For more than a decade, the firm has represented employees across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and communities throughout New Jersey, delivering results in some of the most sensitive and high stakes workplace cases.
This recognition reflects outcomes, not marketing. PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES is known for taking on powerful employers and protecting employees facing sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in workplaces of every size.
For William K. Phillips, Founder and Managing Partner, the focus remains practical.
“What matters is whether a firm can protect people when the power imbalance is real,” Phillips says. “Our work is about results, discretion, and giving employees leverage when they need it most.”
Built to Match Employer Resources Under New York and New Jersey Law
PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES was founded in 2011 to give employees the same level of legal firepower employers rely on from large defense firms. The firm was built to match employer resources, staffing, and strategy while standing squarely on the side of employees.
PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES practices employment law only. The firm focuses exclusively on sexual harassment, employment discrimination, and retaliation under New York State law, the New York City Human Rights Law, and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Unlike firms that primarily handle personal injury or other areas and take employment cases on the side, PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES does not dabble. Employment law is the firm’s sole practice.
The firm represents employees only. It has never represented employers and never will. This exclusive focus allows PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES to confront major employer side law firms with preparation, leverage, and experience built from thousands of New York and New Jersey employment cases.
A Leadership Perspective Built on Strategy and Leverage
Before founding PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES, William K. Phillips built a career advising on complex financial transactions and operating businesses in high-risk environments. That background continues to shape how the firm approaches employment law cases today.
“Employment disputes are not theoretical,” Phillips explains. “They affect careers, families, and reputations. We approach every case with a clear strategy designed to protect the client and apply real pressure to the employer.”
Core Areas of Practice
PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES focuses almost exclusively on plaintiff side employment law in New York and New Jersey, including:
- Sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims
- Employment discrimination, including race, gender, pregnancy, disability, and religious discrimination
- Retaliation for reporting harassment, opposing discrimination, or asserting workplace rights
- Pregnancy related claims, including failure to accommodate pregnancy, and maternity/paternity leave retaliation
- Whistleblower retaliation involving reports of illegal, unethical, or unsafe conduct
The firm represents employees in state and federal courts throughout New York and New Jersey, before administrative agencies, in mediation, and in confidential negotiations. Many clients are still employed when they seek counsel, requiring careful strategies that protect both legal claims and future employment.
Systems Designed for Results
Every case at PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES is handled by a dedicated three-person team consisting of a lead attorney, an associate, and a paralegal. The firm operates more than 18 litigation teams, supported by internal case valuation systems built from thousands of prior matters.
This structure allows the firm to move quickly, respond decisively, and apply pressure when it matters most.
“Our size allows us to be efficient and prepared at the same time,” Phillips says. “Defense counsel knows that our cases are thoroughly developed and valued correctly from the start.”
Why Employees Choose PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES
Employees across New York and New Jersey consistently choose PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES because of:
- Exclusive employee representation
- Extensive experience under New York and New Jersey employment laws
- A strong focus on confidential, high value resolutions that protect careers
- A litigation record that employers and defense firms take seriously
- Dedicated teams assigned to every case
The firm’s reputation is built on trust, discretion, and results for employees who need experienced counsel close to home.
HarassmentHelp.org and Early Guidance
PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES also created HarassmentHelp.org, a resource designed to provide clear guidance to employees dealing with workplace sexual harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. The platform helps individuals understand their rights under New York and New Jersey law and make informed decisions before problems escalate.
“Access to accurate information early can change the entire course of a case,” Phillips notes.
Looking Ahead
PHILLIPS & ASSOCIATES remains focused on strengthening its position as a leading sexual harassment and employment law firm in New York and New Jersey, while continuing to serve employees in communities throughout both states.
The firm’s priority is simple. Deliver strong outcomes, protect clients, and remain a trusted resource for employees facing workplace injustice.
Advice to Aspiring Lawyers
Phillips offers direct guidance.
“Build a practice with a clear mission. Learn your local laws better than anyone else. Treat every client with respect. Protect your culture. And remember that credibility is earned one case at a time.”
